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Our system dealing with domestic violence simply doesn't work
The Australian systems in addressing domestic violence are failing drastically, leaving dangerous holes for victims and resulting in preventable deaths, urgently demanding governmental intervention.
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Our system
The current system for addressing domestic violence in Australia is broken, and it's not enough to fix it — it needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. For too long, victims have been let down by a justice system that fails to protect them and a support system that leaves them vulnerable. As an advocate and an activist, I am calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the way domestic violence is handled to ensure the safety and well-being of victims.
Victims Must Be Heard and Believed by First Responders
One of the biggest failures of the current system is the way victims are often met with skepticism, victim-blaming, or indifference by first responders, especially police officers. Too many survivors have shared stories of being disbelieved, having their abuse downplayed, or worse, being told that they are somehow responsible for the violence. First responders must be trained to listen to victims and believe them from the outset. We need a new role to take statements from domestic violence victims, they should be trauma informed, trained in domestic violence and writing statements. Trust is a crucial part of the healing process, and if victims feel unsupported or doubted when they first seek help, they are less likely to continue pursuing protection or justice. To rebuild confidence in the system, victims need empathetic, trained professionals who understand the complexities of domestic abuse and who take every report seriously.
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Immediate Protection: Safe Accommodation When High-Risk Behaviors Are Identified
Far too often, victims in high-risk situations are left to fend for themselves while abusers remain free. Immediate protection must be available to all victims, especially when high-risk behaviours are identified, such as threats of severe violence or stalking. This means providing safe, secure accommodation for victims and their children at the very first sign of danger.
Waiting for an incident to escalate before taking action is unacceptable. Prevention should be the goal, with swift interventions that remove victims from harm’s way and offer them a safe environment while their cases are being processed. These accommodations should be trauma-informed, offering not just shelter but emotional and psychological support to help victims feel secure and supported and asssitance into a longer term living arrangement.
Waiting for an incident to escalate before taking action is unacceptable. Prevention should be the goal, with swift interventions that remove victims from harm’s way and offer them a safe environment while their cases are being processed. These accommodations should be trauma-informed, offering not just shelter but emotional and psychological support to help victims feel secure and supported and asssitance into a longer term living arrangement.
Implement Mandatory Arrest Laws Based on the Balance of Probabilities
In many cases, even when domestic violence is suspected, the decision to charge and arrest the perpetrator is left to the discretion of the police. This discretion often leads to under-enforcement of laws meant to protect victims. Mandatory arrest laws need to be introduced, where, based on the balance of probabilities, domestic violence has likely occurred.
This would mean that when there is enough evidence that violence has taken place, police are required to make an arrest, rather than leaving the decision up to subjective judgment. This not only sends a clear message to perpetrators that there are immediate consequences for their actions, but it also provides reassurance to victims that they are being taken seriously.
This would mean that when there is enough evidence that violence has taken place, police are required to make an arrest, rather than leaving the decision up to subjective judgment. This not only sends a clear message to perpetrators that there are immediate consequences for their actions, but it also provides reassurance to victims that they are being taken seriously.
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Police Must Pursue All Breaches of Protection Orders
One of the most glaring failures in the current system is the lack of enforcement when it comes to breaches of protection orders. Too often, victims report breaches to the police, only to have them dismissed or ignored due to a lack of immediate danger or because the perpetrator offers an excuse. This not only undermines the purpose of protection orders but also sends a dangerous message to abusers that they can violate these orders with no consequences.
Police must be required to pursue all breaches where there is clear evidence, without exception. No breach is "minor" when it involves the safety and security of a victim. Consistent and firm enforcement is the only way to ensure that protection orders are more than just pieces of paper.
Safe, Comfortable Reporting Spaces – NOT Police Stations
For many survivors, the idea of reporting their abuse in a police station is intimidating, stressful, and traumatic. The cold, bureaucratic environment of a station is often the last place victims want to be after experiencing violence.
Instead of requiring victims to go to police stations, we must create safe, comfortable environments where victims can report abuse without fear or intimidation. These spaces should be welcoming, private, and staffed by trained professionals who understand the nuances of domestic violence. Victims need to feel supported, not interrogated, during such a critical moment.
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Protecting Victims with Electronic Monitoring and No Bail for High-Risk Offenders
One of the most dangerous moments for victims is when their abuser is granted bail, often with minimal restrictions. Too many victims face retaliation or further harm because bail is granted without a thorough risk assessment.
We need to see stricter bail laws, including the use of electronic monitoring for offenders and no bail for perpetrators deemed high-risk. The goal should always be to prioritise the safety of the victim over the perpetrator’s right to liberty, especially when the risk of further violence is high.
Wraparound Support and Case Management for Victims
Victims of domestic violence are often left to navigate the legal and social support systems on their own, adding to their trauma and confusion. Wraparound support services are essential to ensure that survivors get the help they need at every step of the process.
Every victim should be assigned a dedicated case manager, someone who can guide them through the legal system, help with housing, provide access to counseling, and ensure their needs are met holistically. These case managers should be trained in trauma-informed care, offering not just practical support but emotional and psychological assistance as well.
Every victim should be assigned a dedicated case manager, someone who can guide them through the legal system, help with housing, provide access to counseling, and ensure their needs are met holistically. These case managers should be trained in trauma-informed care, offering not just practical support but emotional and psychological assistance as well.
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Increase Funding for Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Victims
One of the largest barriers to justice for many victims is the lack of access to legal representation. Without adequate legal aid, victims are forced to face their abusers in court without support, or worse, they may not pursue legal action at all because they cannot afford it.
We need increased funding for legal aid specifically for domestic violence victims, ensuring that every survivor has the opportunity for fair and comprehensive legal representation. No victim should be denied justice due to a lack of financial resources in the criminal and the family court.
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